Overview of safety and environmental issues for inertial fusion energy

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:491445

Piet, S J ^[1]; Brereton, S J ^[2]; Tanaka, S ^[3]

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1. Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
2. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
3. Univ. of Tokyo (Japan); and others

This paper summarizes safety and environmental issues of Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE): inventories, effluents, maintenance, accident safety, waste management, and recycling. The fusion confinement approach among inertial and magnetic options affects how the fusion reaction is maintained and which materials surround the reaction chamber. The target fill technology has a major impact on the target factory tritium inventory. IFE fusion reaction chambers usually employ some means to protect the first structural wall from fusion pulses. This protective fluid or granular bed also moderates and absorbs most neutrons before they reach the first structural wall. Although the protective fluid activates, most candidate fluids have low activation hazard. Hands-on maintenance seems practical for the driver, target factory, and secondary coolant systems; remote maintenance is likely required for the reaction chamber, primary coolant, and vacuum exhaust cleanup systems. The driver and fuel target facility are well separated from the main reaction chamber.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223
• OSTI ID: 491445
• Report Number(s): INEL--96/00285; CONF-9610240--3; ON: DE97052143
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
MAINTENANCE
SAFETY
TRITIUM
WASTE MANAGEMENT